General News
30 January, 2023
Smooth swimming
WARM weather and open gates ha driven a surge in swimmers heading to Loddon pools this summer. Belgravia Leisure’s seasonal pools manager Kai Nielsen said the biggest attendance jumps in January had been at Mitiamo and Boort. He said Mitiamo had...
WARM weather and open gates ha driven a surge in swimmers heading to Loddon pools this summer.
Belgravia Leisure’s seasonal pools manager Kai Nielsen said the biggest attendance jumps in January had been at Mitiamo and Boort.
He said Mitiamo had also led the way with an increase last month while attendances at Wedderburn had tripled in December.
Last summer, sudden closures were common at the shire’s five pools as Belgravia and the aquatic industry across Victoria faced challenges recruiting lifeguards after training had been hampered by COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
However, Kai said that this season the only closures had been when cold weather punctuated the warm spells.
Belgravia has also extended opening hours at pools on extreme heat days.
Attendances at Wedderburn and Inglewood had been helped by the return of aquatic aerobic classes run by Inglewood and Districts Health Service.
Kai said that while attendance was slightly higher at Pyramid Hill this summer, season pass purchases were down.
He expected all five pools will be busy tomorrow with free entry for Australia Day.
“The movie night at Boort last week was also well attended and the inflatable sessions are popular with young swimmers,” he said.
Belgravia Leisure has this season recruited strongly for lifeguards in local communities.
And the return of VicSwim sessions at Loddon pools has been well supported by young families.
Veteran swim instructor Wilf Dickeson had charge of the Inglewood sessions last week.
A swim teacher for more than 50 years, the former Richmond footballer and school teacher has been part of the VicSwim program since it started in 1976.
Parents praised Wilf for his methods in teaching youngsters over the five-day course.
Prue Milgate said children had made remarkable progress and gained confidence in the water as a result of Wilf’s teaching.
Loddon’s pool season will finish after the March long weekend.